Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Part of Marshall Street in Albert Lea will be closed to vehicles starting Thursday for removal of pavement as part of its reconstruction. Underground utility replacement will follow next week.

The contractor plans to maintain pedestrian access to businesses by leaving in the sidewalk as long as possible and designating pedestrian routes with orange fencing.

The city of Albert Lea planned to reconstruct Marshall Street and Sibley Avenue earlier this year, but an unusually wet spring and early summer has delayed the project. Because of the delay, the contractor is dividing the project into three phases to ensure that any disturbed areas are rebuilt before winter:

• Phase 1A: Marshall Street, from Bridge Avenue to Ramsey Street, reconstructed this fall. Parking will be available on Sibley Avenue and the west part of Marshall Street.
• Phase 1B: Marshall Street, from Ramsey to East Main Street, reconstructed this fall. Parking will be available on Sibley Avenue and the east part of Marshall Street.
• Phase 2: Sibley Avenue, from Marshall to East Main Street, reconstructed in 2025. Parking will be available on Marshall Street.

The $1.1 million project includes replacing the pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water main on Marshall from Bridge to Ramsey and Sibley from Marshall to East Main.